WELLINGTON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 844, 25 July 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

This Day. A public meeting to form a Liberal Association was held last evening iv the Arcade. It was by no means favorably regarded by the people of Wellington, and no local puulic men of influence would take part m it, as such a meeting bore the appearance of being intended to influence or intimidate Parliament. It was got up entirely by members of the Grey party from Auckland and Otago, and had neither local significance nor weight. The Arcade was crowded, but by an audience evidently unfavorably disposed. On the platform were Sir George G^ey, Messrs. Barton, Reea, Mobs, and Field wick, M.H.R's. Both Barton and Rees tried m vain to get a hearing. Barton tried very hard, and yelled and gesticulated, but was bawled down. After th fee-quarters of an hour of great disorder, a boatbuilder, named Crook, got into the chair, and obtained # a hearing for Sir George Grey, who moved the first resolution. In the Supreme Court the jury acquitted Brodie without leaving the box. The Chief Justice said that the law was not sufficiently strict with regard to putting places named for tne trial of accused persons beyond the discretion of the Executive, which should not have the power to say where prisoners should be tried. Fifteen of the Maori prisoners have been sentenced to 24 h-mrs on bread and water, for insubordination.